The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-03-17

remittances being made, as above stated
in various kinds of exchange, direct to tn,
comptroller.
From this has also arisen the perniciou'
custom of depositing state funds, in thu
shape of exchange, by the comptroller
with various banks of Austin, for col
lection, and it frequently occurs
that such funds remain in the hands Of
said banks for period of thirty days.
The committee, with your particular
matter in view, examined the deposit:
made by tax collectors of three countie:
only with results as follows:
Bexar county.-On the 18th day of April
1886, Draft for $35.912.00 was received
by the comptroller. 1t was placed in the
treasury on the 9th of May, following on
July the 31st; twenty-five days thereafter
the comptroller received from the tax
collector of this county by draft $685.
945.O0, and this did not reach the treasury
until September the 9th, forty days af-
forwards.
On March the 10Th, 1885, for tax of
1884, the comptroller received from the
same tax collector, by draft, the sum of
$34,000.00 which found Judgment in the
treasury on June the Sd, seventy three
days thereafter; the comptroller received
from the tax collector of Dallas county in
the same way on July 21st, 1886,
$12,00000 which went to the
treasury on August 26, thirty-six days
afterwards.
The com ptroller received from the tax
collector of Harris county, on July %,
1886, draft for $4,000, and the money
was carried into the treasury on August
26, thirty five days after.
On August a draft for $13,600 was re-
celved from the same tax collector, but it
did not reach the treasury until Septem-
Der IS, thirty-nine days afterwards.
Under this system it is possible, and
even very likely to be the case, that while
there may thus be in the banks of Austin
thousands of dollars the treasury may
have to suspend payment for want of
funds. Such, in fact, did occur on Janu-
airy %, 1886, when the state treasury was
forced to suspend the payment
of just claims against the
state, when, as was disclosed by this in
vestigation, there was on that day in the
banks of Austin the sum of $156,00o,
which, under correct and proper sys-
TEN, would and!should have been in the
state treasury,
Any system of laws CIR methods that
will permit such state of affairs is OBJ
jectionable for many reasons, and espec-
tally SO, because it virtually makes the
com ptroller's department take the place
of the treasury department, and puts 1t
ia the power of the comptroller to en-
barrass the condition of the treasury, and
TO paralyze and corrupt the entire inan-
cial machinery of the state. Besides, ii
certainly affords opportunities and offers
inducements for population and fraud.
In this connection we would respect
fully recommend the enactment of such
laws as will secure the prompt remittance
of all state funds, in cash, direct to the
state treasury monthly. The Law, as now
exists, is plain in its requirements that all
officials charged with the collection OF
state funds shall send thsm direct to the
treasury; but, as an improvement on the
present law,we would recommend the pas
sage of senate bill 1885, with few amend.
menGs.
There is reason to believe, from what
your committee has been able to learn
that our revenue laws, IN reference to Oc-
cupation taxes, are being violated and
evaded TO great extent.
For the year 1885 the comptroller's de-
partment shows that in Tarrant there
were 20 beer and 33 liquor dealers of al
other classes doing business under state
license; in all 81. While for the same
year in the same county the United State.
internal revenue report shows that there
we're A beer and 144 liquor dealers OF al
other classes; in all 1873 liquor dealers op-
Grating under internal revenue Licenses.
For the county Of Harris the sans yea
thsre under STATE license, beer dealers, rs
liquor dealers of all other classes, 81. To
tai, 1877.
Under internal revenue license Their
were:
IiGuour dealers of ali other classes .........16
rots, ...... ................... ss
Your committee did not extend their in
vestigation in this direction, but think /
highly probable that near the same condl
ton of affairs exists Ia other counties o
the state. We would recommend the en-
actment of law authorizing the governo
to appoint state revenue inspectors, who's
duty it shall be, under the direction of thu
governor, to visit any county in the state
aad to inspect any occupation Licenses
papers, books, receipts or rolls, pertaining
to the collectors office, or the state reve,
nue. affairs in any other shape. Som
such plan would, we believe, bring int
the state treasury thousands of dollar
above what it now received.
Your committee have been able to give
but little attention to that portion of thu
duties of the comptroller's department
in passing upon and auditing claims
against the state, and settling DE- BITS due tt
individuals from the state.
Under this head we have found severa
methods of long standing, in the name
warrants are drawn for the payment o
assistant clerks in the comptroller's anc
other departments. We refer to what If
known as slump warrants" which W
think is Objectionable.
We believe that each party entitled tt
pay for services, or any claim, should
have warrant drawn in his name alon
for the amount he is entitled to receive.
We would recommend that the comp
troller, as we'll as the heads of all other de
partments, should be required to re
port to the governor, in their annual re
ports, the disposition of all funds place.
TO the use of such department, giving
names of all employees, character
services, and amount paid each.
Also, that the comptroller report eacl
wear to the governor that the comp
troller incorporate in his annual repor